Barton Nursing Graduates Boast 100% Pass Rate on NCLEX

WILSON, N.C. — Barton College’s School of Nursing has learned that 18 out of 18 graduates (May 2011) taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) passed with flying colors. On the heels of that good news, the College’s School of Nursing will celebrate its 40th anniversary, scheduled for Saturday, October 22, during Barton’s Homecoming Weekend.

North Carolina is a member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and on the Council’s web site, it states, “To ensure public protection, NCSBN Member Board jurisdictions require a candidate for licensure to pass an examination that measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse.” The 100% pass rate of the NCLEX by Barton’s nursing graduates is a testament to the hard work of both faculty and students.

“Barton College’s School of Nursing can take great pride in the 100% NCLEX pass rate for our nursing graduates,” shared Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College. “We are committed to the highest standards of nursing education, and the dedication of Dr. Sarvey and the nursing faculty is a leading factor in the year’s success. I am very proud of our students and the effort they have exhibited to reach their goals. They are to be commended for their perseverance throughout this rigorous academic program.”

Initiatives under Dr. Sarvey’s leadership have included a vigorous revamp of the nursing curriculum based on rigorous assessment that reflects the constant evolution of nursing practice. Additional changes have emphasized effective preparation for NCLEX both during formal education and after graduation. The curriculum is designed to foster a commitment to the continuous learning essential to support the knowledge and skills to perform well in an increasingly challenging profession.

The faculty in the School of Nursing provide a wealth of experience and demonstrated effectiveness in both classroom and clinical settings. Barton’s nursing program has implemented comprehensive admission standards to bring the most qualified students into the program. Effective classroom teaching, coupled with strong clinical experiences for nursing students in various venues including virtual simulation experiences, augment the application of classroom learning. This combination of teaching and learning strategies creates an environment where students think more critically and develop a heightened level of effective clinical judgment.

For the past four decades, Barton College School of Nursing has exhibited a steadfast tradition of academic excellence and a strong reputation for educating and preparing nurses for the professional healthcare industry. Barton’s 100% score in North Carolina rises above the reported 88% N.C. state pass rate and the 87% national pass rate for 2010.

“I am thrilled to be a small part of the success of these graduates,” said Dr. Sharon I. Sarvey, dean of the School of Nursing. “Barton has long had a distinction of preparing excellent practitioners for the region and beyond. I am very proud of these young women who took on a challenging educational program and demonstrated such accomplishment. We look forward to a wide variety of accomplishments from them over their professional careers in service to others.”

Barton’s nursing program offers some of the highest ratios of clinical-to-classroom hours in the state. Nursing students receive firsthand clinical experiences at nearby Wilson Medical Center, Johnston Memorial Hospital, and Wayne Memorial Hospital, as well as at major medical facilities, including: Wake Medical Center, Pitt County Memorial Hospital of University Health Services East, Rex Hospital, Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Nash Health Systems. In settings ranging from community hospitals to major medical centers, Barton faculty are side by side with the students, teaching, mentoring, and supporting their learning experience.

Founded in 1971, the College’s School of Nursing celebrates a historically well-respected program among its peers across the state. Barton’s School of Nursing is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

To celebrate this proud heritage, the Barton College School of Nursing will host a 40th anniversary celebration at noon on Saturday, Oct. 21, during the College’s annual Homecoming Weekend. For additional details about the event, please contact Summer Brock, director of alumni programs and parent relations, at 252-399-6383 or email: sebrock@barton.edu.

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Questions?  Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu